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Rugby League

Mathers gets three-game suspension but Barrett avoids ban

12/03/2008

Wigan Warriors full-back Richard Mathers has been banned for three games for a high tackle on Warrington Wolves centre Matt King.

Mathers was sent off during the 32-20 defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium after knocking King unconscious with a reckless challenge.

He has also been fined £300 over the incident, for which he has since apologised.

However, King is still being assessed by the Wolves medical staff to determine if he will be fit for this weekend's match against Bradford Bulls at Odsal.

Coach Paul Cullen said: "He has not trained as yet this week and has not taken a head test as yet, so he is still suffering the effects of the injury.

"It's always wise on these occasions to leave the head test until all the symptoms have gone away. At the moment that's simply not the case. The medical team will leave it as long as needed."

Mathers' Warriors team-mate Trent Barrett has avoided any suspension for a 'spear' tackle on Paul Johnson during the same game.

The club had feared Barrett, who has played in the last 35 consecutive matches, could be hit with a four-match suspension.

And although he was found guilty and fined £300, the Rugby Football League disciplinary panel determined the offence should be downgraded from a 'C' to a 'B' and that a suspension was not appropriate.

Elsewhere, Leeds Rhinos hooker Matt Diskin has been handed a one-match ban, fined £300 and placed on report for a high tackle on Castleford Tigers prop Michael Korkidas last week.

Hull Kingston Rovers forward David Mills has been found guilty of striking during last week's defeat to Wakefield Wildcats but the RFL disciplinary panel decided to take no further action.

And Harlequins full-back Mark McLinden has avoided punishment for a careless high tackle in the 24-0 win over Huddersfield Giants last weekend.